Magnetically interchangeable jewelry and accessories

ABSTRACT

The customizable jewelry of the invention includes bezels of various shapes. Each bezel includes a magnet or magnetized base. The bezel is preferably formed from zinc alloy, but is not limited to such construction. Whatever shape the bezel takes, it preferably includes a raised perimeter wall around a base. Buttons, or other decorative pieces, mimic the shape of the bezel and fit within the perimeter bezel wall, and held in place by the magnet of the bezel. Multiple bezels can be linked together to form a bracket or similar piece of jewelry.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Non Provisional Application related to and claiming priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/612,630, filed Mar. 19, 2012. The contents of the preceding is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Photo jewelry (images/designs, prints) provides a very popular way for individuals to display pictures of children, hobbies, pets, etc. However, current photo jewelry usually only allows for the permanent display of one picture. If one desires to wear or change out more than one picture, they must buy a completely new piece of jewelry. This can become costly, time consuming, space consuming and wasteful. Additionally, the pieces become outdated and potentially not wearable.

This invention provides an alternative to traditional photo jewelry and provides customizable, dynamic jewelry pieces. The present invention combines many unique features and elements, including use of a magnetic bezel, to allow the user to easily rotate “buttons” with unique pictures and images for unlimited options. Additionally, the wearer needs only one base piece with unlimited photo/image/pattern options.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Several preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown herein in the form of a bracelet, and a square and round pendant. The bracelet, in the preferred embodiment shown, has five bezels with a hematite magnet embedded at the base of each bezel. The pendants, as shown, have one bezel with a hematite magnet incorporated therein in both the square and round design. Other design options include but are not limited to oval, diamond, and rectangle designs. Design shapes and options are unlimited. A preferably flat-back steel button can be inserted into each bezel and stays in place via the magnetic quality of the hematite magnet in the pendant base (e.g. neodymium, hematite, etc.) which attracts the steel at the base (bottom) of the button. The bezels also work with other types of magnets and other materials with magnetic properties or (not required but optional) polar-opposite magnets. Inserts may be, but are not limited to, standard Tecre “buttons.” The inserts can be manufactured from virtually any type of materials which can include, but are not limited to, ceramic, glass, acrylic, plastic and any other material, with a bottom with magnetic properties or a polar-opposite magnet for attraction to the magnet in the bezel. The user can keep the base bracelet and pendant on while simply pressing the side of the button for easy removal and replacement with a new button. This eliminates the need to take the base components on and off and allows the user to simply replace the “buttons.”

This invention differs from other known jewelry on the market in many ways, including as follows:

-   -   The magnet is embedded in the base of the bezel such that the         top of the magnet is substantially flush with the base of the         bezel. This allows many varieties of inserts to rest flat and         securely in the base of the bezel.     -   Decorative inserts of many varieties can be used in the present         invention with no magnets required. As long as the decorative         insert is the proper size and has a base/bottom with a magnetic         quality such as metal, it can be used. Examples of (but not         limited to) materials that could be used to manufacture the         buttons would be resin, ceramic, polymer clay, gemstones, and         rhinestones.     -   Decorative inserts with polar-opposite magnets could also be         used.

Because the base of each bezel contains a magnet, instead of on the bottom of each insert, this allows for a significant cost savings over competitive products which require a magnet on every removable insert. This allows for a much greater opportunity for crafters, for instance, to create inserts using affordable and well-known button machines, and using a wide variety of materials such as resin, polymer clay, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bracelet and bezels. As shown, each bezel has an embedded magnet and hinged links between each bezel.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the bracelet and bezel. As shown, there are five bezels in the overall bracelet for 1″ buttons.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the unadorned bracelet.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view showing the backside of a preferred embodiment of the bracelet bezel, which would be worn against the wrist, which may include a design etched into the bezel or may also include any number of designs or smooth finish.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are right and left side elevation views of a bezel used in the five-bezel bracelet base.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a round bezel and bail used as a pendant with a chain.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a left side elevation view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a square bezel and bail used as a pendant with a chain.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a left side elevation view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is a rear elevation view of the bezel pendant of FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of a bracelet of the present invention with one “button” inserted.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a bezel of the present invention with button.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a user pushing out a button from a bezel.

FIG. 22 illustrates a “bottle cap pendant” bezel base embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The customizable jewelry invention includes bezels 10 of various shapes. Each bezel 10 includes a magnet 20 in its base. The bezel 10 is preferably formed from zinc alloy, but is not limited to such construction. Whatever shape the bezel 10 takes, it preferably includes a raised perimeter 11 wall around a base 12. Set within the base is a magnet 20, preferably a hematite magnet. Buttons 195, or other decorative pieces, mimic the overall shape of the bezel 10 and fit within the perimeter wall 11. Buttons 10 can be made of any material and include a button portion 196 that will be attracted to the bezel magnet for completion of the jewelry piece.

Multiple bezels 10 can be linked together to form a bracelet 15 or similar piece of jewelry. In one preferred embodiment of the bracelet, each bezel 10 has corresponding, complimentary hinged or other attachment mechanisms 31 fastened at opposing sides thereof to link multiple bezels together, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. And, at each end the bezel pieces may include clasp means 41, 42 to fasten to complete the bracket around a wrist, etc.

The jewelry of the present invention also includes decorative inserts, or buttons 195. Buttons are adornments that have a metallic or other magnet-attractive feature that attracts to the magnet 20 in each bezel 10. Moreover, bezels 10 are sized and shaped to fit snugly, yet removably, into the perimeter wall 11 of the bezel 10. Preferably, buttons 195 are created with colorful or decorative materials using well-known Tecre button machines, with any suitable materials.

As seen in FIG. 2, the bezel base 12 is substantially flat with an embedded magnet 20. The top of the magnet 20 is substantially flush with the plane of the bezel base. Also preferably, a section of the bezel base 12 is removed as shown in FIG. 20. This allows a user to push down on the button 195 over this void area 205 to allow the opposite side of the button 195 to be raised above the bezel wall 11 for a user to easily remove the button 195 from that bezel 10, as shown in FIG. 21.

The magnet inlay design invention is unique from other designs because it allows the user to use an inexpensive steel flat-back button or any other material that attracts to a hematite magnet or polar-opposite magnetic device to attract to the bezel. Furthermore, the design allows the user to keep the preferably zinc-alloy base on at all times and simply replace images in and out via pressing on the side of the button with the thumb or forefinger.

This design can be adapted for other jewelry or other apparel and crafting items. Buttons and other steel-bottomed devices rest and stay snugly in place in the bezel 10. As shown in the preferred embodiments, each bezel 10 inside diameter measures approximately 25 mm. The entire width of each bezel 10 is preferably approximately 27-28 mm. The pendant, shown in FIGS. 7-18, has a bail 70 for easy sliding on and off of for many varieties of chain, ribbon or cord 75. As shown, top to bottom the pendant is about 1¼″ (3 cm). As shown, the bracelet has five bezels (for up to five unique designs/buttons) and measures end to end about 8½″ (about 22 cm). It also has a toggle clasp 41 and three rings 42 for easy-sizing. The bracelet is unique and completely new to the industry. Both items work with readily available 1″ flat back buttons 10 easily made with a known 1″ button machine, e.g. a Tecre button machine.

The design of the bezels 10 accommodates multiple types of inserts (buttons) 195, including: 1) standard one-inch round metal flat-back buttons 195 that are attracted to the magnet 20 in the bezel 10 and created with any standard button making machine (Tecre is one example of a well-known manufacturer of these button-making machines); 2) buttons/inserts that have ceramic, neodymium (or other type of) magnet component already attached to them, which are also attracted to the magnet 20 embedded in the base 12 of the bezel 10; 3) any other metal-backed (magnetic) object which can be inserted into/onto the bezel 10 (e.g. objects glued or attached in any way to a metal base, such as small objects embedded in resin). The design enables more options for various types of inserts that can be used with the pendants and bracelets, and avoids a reliance on any one magnetic device. The inset bezel is unique. No known design incorporates this technology of embedding the magnet into the base of the bezel, or utilizing a magnetic bezel, allowing use of buttons with magnetic metals (such as galvanized steel), ceramic magnets, neodymium earth magnets and other materials with magnetic properties, but not requiring an actual magnet. This allows the user a variety of options not currently available in the marketplace.

Visually, each bezel 10 is preferably and generally flat in the bottom 12 and having a perimeter wall 11 with an approximately 2 mm depth designed to ensure that inserts of any variety stay securely in place verses other designs in which the inserts can easily be loosened out of the base. Furthermore, the back of each bezel 10 is preferably decorated with a textured, or other, design to be visually appealing.

When attaching an insert 195 to the pendant 90 or bracelet 15, the user knows that the insert 195 is in place when it makes a “clicking” or snapping sound.

The bracelet 15 is uniquely designed to preferably include five bezels 10 so that users are able to display five inserts 195 versus the industry standard of one or two. This was created to allow users to create a piece of jewelry that distinctively highlights their personality, interests, etc. (something not available in other designs). Furthermore the bracelet 15 has three “sizer-rings” to accommodate a variety of wrist sizes with a toggle-clasp, allowing the product to have wide-appeal to adult women.

The edging of the bezel was designed to frame the insert 195. Simple silver edging and decorative bezel edging were created to convey a more upscale image. When the insert 195 is dropped into the bezel 10, the edging 11 of each bezel “frames” the design. This unique bezel design can be adapted to other components to be used in the crafting industry—for instance incorporated into beaded necklaces, scrapbooking, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, each bezel 10 inside diameter measures approximately 25 mm, and the entire outer width of each bezel 10 is approximately 27-28 mm, but either can be various sizes as long as they complement each other. The pendant 90, 130 preferably has a bail for easy sliding on and off of a chain. Top to bottom the pendant 90, 130 preferably measures about 1¼″ (3 cm). As stated above, in a preferred embodiment, the bracelet 15 has five bezels 10 (for five unique designs/buttons) and measures end to end about 8½ inches (about 22 cm). It also has a toggle clasp 41 and three rings 42 for easy-sizing. The bracelet 15 is unique and new to the industry. Both items preferably work with readily available 1″ flat back buttons easily made, for example, with a 1″ Tecre button machine.

The hinges 31 between each bezel 10 in the bracelet 15 are preferably designed so that the bracelet 15 would easily flex around a users' wrist while staying securely in place and nearly indestructible with casual wear. The hinges 31 have a secure pin and lock system which is strong and secure for the user. The sizer rings 42 (end of toggle-clasp) are preferably designed for sizing functionality as well as carrying through the theme of the circular bezels and classic looking design. Sizer rings 42 are connected via wrapped links that do not distract from the look of the bracelet while adding to the classic look.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim as my invention:
 1. An apparatus for removably and interchangeably displaying adornments in jewelry comprising: a base comprising a bezel with an embedded magnet, the bezel comprising a base and a generally raised circumferential sidewall having a predetermined shape having an inner circumferential shape and having hinge members attached on generally opposite sides of said sidewall; a token comprising two sides, a first side removably and magnetically attachable to said embedded magnet and a second side having an adornment, and having an outer circumference shape that substantially matches said bezel inner circumferential shape for a snug and removable fit.
 2. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the base is a metal alloy.
 3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the magnet is a hematite magnet.
 4. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the magnet is a neodymium earth magnet.
 5. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the magnet is a ceramic magnet.
 6. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the base material is comprised of one or more of plastic, ceramic, or rubber.
 7. The apparatus of clam 1 wherein the magnet is embedded in the base of the bezel such that the top of the magnet lies substantially flush with the base of the bezel, and wherein the adornment resides snugly in the base of the bezel.
 8. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the sidewall around the bezel is raised about 2 mm above the bezel base so that the adornment rests in the base.
 9. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the token comprises a steel, polar-opposite magnet or other magnetically attracted material and wherein the adornment is comprised of one or more of glass, ceramic, plastic, or acrylic.
 10. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the adornment is removable by pressing against an edge of the adornment.
 11. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the circumferential shape of the bezel and adornment are one of a circle, square, oval, rectangle, diamond, star or triangle.
 12. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein the bezel base comprises one of cuff links, book marks, shoe adornments, drawer pulls, earrings, rings, or hair bows.
 13. A piece of jewelry comprising a plurality of bezels, each bezel comprising a base and a generally raised circumferential sidewall having a predetermined shape having an inner circumferential shape and having hinge members attached on generally opposite sides of said sidewall; a plurality of interlocking rings attached to one end of the plurality of bezels; and a clasp mechanism attached to another end of the plurality of bezels to attach said jewelry to the wrist of a user. 